Electrical Power & Protection


Steam on demand

January 2025 Electrical Power & Protection

According to Allmech, a leading South African manufacturer of boilers and supplier of water treatment components, rental boilers are increasingly popular, offering the convenience of on-demand power and heat without the commitment of a permanent installation. Senior boiler technician, Theo Boshoff explains that rental boilers are an ideal solution while a customer awaits repairs, or only needs a boiler for a particular period, or does not have the capital to invest upfront.

“When a client’s electrode boiler shell required repairs recently, we were able to provide a rental unit Model A-200S Allmech Electrode steam boiler,” Boshoff says. “One of the primary advantages of providing a rental boiler to this client was that we were able to minimise downtime. Our client, a leading supplier of gases, welding and safety products in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, faced a critical situation. By offering a rental boiler, we ensured that its production line continued to operate seamlessly, avoiding any disruption to their business processes.”


Halting operations due to boiler repairs can lead to substantial financial losses. In this case, Allmech’s client was able to avoid these costs by using a rental boiler. “The rental solution proved to be more cost-effective than the potential losses associated with a complete shutdown,” says Boshoff. “Rental boilers offer flexibility and can be tailored to meet specific needs. Our client required a temporary solution for a period of approximately three months. We provided a rental boiler that matched its operational requirements, ensuring it had the necessary capacity and efficiency during the repair period.”

Another benefit of the rental option is that it includes maintenance and support services. “Our team provided technical expertise for the repair of the old shell, and completed the installation and the water treatment of the rental boiler. This ensured that the temporary boiler operated efficiently and that any issues were promptly addressed. This gave the client the peace of mind that came with reliable support throughout the rental period.”

A rental boiler can be used for several different reasons, including increased steam requirements, peak/seasonal demand, planned maintenance, equipment retrofits, research and development projects, or emergency repairs. In another instance, Allmech supplied a Model A-200S Allmech Electrode steam boiler capable of producing 318 kg steam per hour (the client required 160 kg/h) as a rental unit in the water treatment industry.

“The requirements were that we heat water from 20 to 65°C. We provided a rental boiler that matched these operational requirements, with a maximum working pressure of 10 bar, ensuring the client had the necessary capacity and efficiency during the production period,” says Boshoff.

Using a rental boiler during repair periods not only helps maintain operational continuity, but also provides cost savings, flexibility, and peace of mind. In the boiler industry, a one-size-fits-all solution does not exist. This is why rental boilers come in various types, sizes and designs to cater to the diverse needs of commercial and industrial facilities. These rental boilers are maintained to the highest standards and undergo frequent testing to ensure optimal performance with minimal monitoring. They are reliable, standalone and stable units. Allmech offers rental units with capacities ranging from 45 to 318 kg of steam per hour.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Unpacking the technoeconomic case for cleaner power in wastewater plants
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Behind every reliable wastewater plant is an electrical system exposed to the effects of harmonics, voltage distortion and overloaded networks caused by fleets of variable speed drives on pumps and aerators.Together, they steadily drive up maintenance demands and elevate the risk of failure.

Read more...
Energy strategy as a competitive advantage for African businesses
Electrical Power & Protection
Energy is no longer simply something that businesses consume. When managed effectively, it becomes a controllable asset that supports resilience and efficiency and sets the foundation for long-term competitiveness.

Read more...
World’s fastest 14 bit arbitrary waveform generator
Vepac Electronics Electrical Power & Protection
The ARB Rider AWG-700 from Vepac is the world’s fastest 14 bit arbitrary waveform generator, with a 20 GS/s real-time update rate and 14 bit vertical resolution.

Read more...
Transformers for mining house in Botswana
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
LH Marthinusen is completing the manufacture of two 30 MVA transformers for a mining house in Botswana.

Read more...
DIN-rail power supplies for reliable and efficient AC/DC conversion
Conical Technologies Electrical Power & Protection
The Claf Power AD75-2BxxS series DIN-rail power supplies are designed for industrial automation, control systems and process environments.

Read more...
Rethinking power for Africa’s data centres
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Africa’s digital economy is scaling faster than its power systems. If it wants resilient, competitive and sustainable data centres, the starting point must be a grid-to-chip architecture rather than a genset-first mentality.

Read more...
The growing decentralisation of power grids
Electrical Power & Protection
The decentralisation of power generation is changing how national grids function. For electrical engineers, several new challenges and opportunities are on the horizon.

Read more...
Custom mini substations for Zambian copper mine
Electrical Power & Protection
Recent orders to supply seventeen specially engineered mini substations for an underground copper mine in Zambia reinforces Trafo Power Solution’s track record in delivering customised electrical solutons for challenging environments.

Read more...
Unifying building information into a sea of insight
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Facility managers realise that in order to gain the most from building automation, they can longer deploy and operate technologies in isolation. Modern, integrated building management solutions address this challenge by bringing data from multiple sources and dispersed locations like HVAC, lighting, access control, lifts, generators, field devices, energy and

Read more...
Smart power solutions for a low-carbon future
ABB South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
As the world marked Earth Day 2026, ABB is highlighting the role of low-voltage smart power solutions in improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions and enabling more sustainable infrastructure.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved